It is impossible fully to express the great consolation which arises from the thought of the cross of Christ to those who are thus earnestly engaged in the crucifixion of the flesh. By his stripes, O Christian, he has sanctified and sweetened . . . Continue reading →
Redemption
Circumcision And Baptism
In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith . . . Continue reading →
Abraham Was Not Moses
Several years ago, I had the privilege of contributing an article to 9Marks. The point of my post there (and here) was not to argue the specifics of the paedobaptist (infant baptizing) case, but nevertheless, in response to that contribution, a correspondent . . . Continue reading →
The Devil’s Mousetrap: A Good Friday Meditation
I do not know your opinion of Peter Lombard’s Sentences, but it is one of the texts that we read each year in our medieval seminar. He compiled and wrote them (c. 1155–58) for his theological students in Paris. They became the . . . Continue reading →
Perkins In Defense Of Particular Redemption
Whereas Paul says that “the promise is given to believers,” [Gal. 3:22] it is manifest that the promise is not universal in respect of all mankind, but only indefinite and universal in respect of believers. Wherefore their doctrine is not sound that . . . Continue reading →
Perkins: The End Of The Law Is Conviction
Mark further, the end of the law is conviction. And the end of our conviction is that the promise of mercy may be given to them that believe. Here is notable comfort, with encouragement to all good duties. Does the law as . . . Continue reading →
Perkins: Salvation Is A Public Donation
Lastly, in that Paul says, God “gave” and freely bestowed the “inheritance by the promise,” it must be considered that this giving is no private but a public donation. For Abraham must be considered as a public person. And that which was . . . Continue reading →
Perkins: Christ Is The Ground And Fountain
If Christ be the ground of the promise, then is He the ground and fountain of all the blessings of God. And for this cause, the right way to obtain any blessing of God is first to receive the promise, and in . . . Continue reading →
Luther On The Value Of Learning The Greatness Of Our Sin And Misery
To the question, “If the Law does not justify, what is its purpose?” Paul, therefore, replies: “Although the Law does not justify, it is nevertheless extremely useful and necessary. In the first place, it acts as a civic restraint upon those who . . . Continue reading →
Perkins On Paul’s Distinction Between Law And Gospel In Galatians
When Paul says, “The law is not of faith,” he sets down the main difference between the law and the gospel. The law promises life to him that performs perfect obedience, and that for his works. The gospel promises life to him . . . Continue reading →
Luther On The Role Of The Law In Salvation
It follows, therefore, that the Law with its function does contribute to justification—not because it justifies, but because it impels one to the promise of grace and makes it sweet and desirable. Therefore we do not abolish the Law; but we show . . . Continue reading →
Luther: Our Righteousness Before God Is Imputed
The righteousness Paul is speaking about here is external and comes from Christ living in us. It’s not internal, and it doesn’t come from ourselves. So if we are concerned about Christian righteousness, we must completely set aside the self. If I . . . Continue reading →
Perkins On How Good Works Work
Again, it may be demanded (considering we cannot fulfill the law), how our works can please God? Answer. In every good work, there is something that is God’s and something that is ours alone. The defect of the work is ours alone, . . . Continue reading →
Perkins: Christ Voluntarily Became Accused For Us
. . . how Christ was a curse, or accursed, who is the fountain of blessedness? Answer. He is not so by nature. For He is the natural Son of God. Not by His own fault, for He is the unspotted lamb . . . Continue reading →
Perkins: That Christ Was Cursed For Us Demonstrates Our Sinfulness
That Christ became a curse for us, it shows the greatness and horribleness of our sins; it shows the grievous hardness of our hearts that never almost mourn for them. It shows the unspeakable love and mercy of God, for which we . . . Continue reading →
Luther: The Apostolic Way Of Reading Scripture
Thus Paul treats this topic in a truly apostolic way, because no sophist or legalist or Jew or fanatic or anyone else speaks this way. Who would dare quote this passage from Moses, “Cursed be everyone who hangs on a tree,” and . . . Continue reading →
Luther: Christ Was Innocent For Us
And so this text [Gal. 3:13] is clear, that all men, even the apostles or prophets or patriarchs, would have remained under the curse if Christ had not put Himself in opposition to sin, death, the curse of the Law, and the . . . Continue reading →
Perkins: Christ Is Given To Us In Word And Sacrament
The third question is, how the obedience of Christ should be made ours? Answer. By the free donation of God. For Christ is really given unto us in the word and sacraments; and consequently the obedience of Christ is made ours, even . . . Continue reading →
Luther: The Divine Curse Requires Divine Righteousness
Thus the curse, which is divine wrath against the whole world, has the same conflict with the blessing, that is, with the eternal grace and mercy of God in Christ. Therefore the curse clashes with the blessing and wants to damn it . . . Continue reading →
The Commander Of Yahweh’s Army: The Son And The Covenant Of Grace Present In The Types And Shadows
When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” And the commander of the LORD‘S army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so (Joshua 5:13–15; ESV). Continue reading →